St Barths: Luxury Weekend, One-Way Charter

We still believe that there are few places on earth more chic than St. Barthélemy (aka St. Barts, St. Barths), despite damages to the island by the hurricanes of October 2017. Almost everything is operational and as trendy and exclusive as ever.

Everyone should indulge in one lavish weekend ashore. Take the 15-minute flight in to St. Barths from St. Maarten. Stay at a divine establishment for two or three nights, then board your private yacht on a one-way charter to discover Anguilla and explore St. Maarten.

The flight into St. Barths is spectacular. Stay at one of the acclaimed resorts or in a private villa and peruse the beach clubs, restaurants, spas, shops and nightlife that make this island an ever-popular celebrity destination.

The sophisticated and stylish French island of St. Barths packs a lot into just eight square miles. Here we will not focus on the island’s numerous attractions for nature and history buffs, water sports enthusiasts, hikers, bikers and children. Instead, we review our favorite places to spend money.

ST BARTHS HOTELS

Eden Rock was awarded Best Hotel in the World at the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Travel Awards 2016. For sixty years, this grand hotel has been an A-lister retreat. Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes gazed from terraced suites. Kate Middleton’s family opted to holiday here last summer. Standard rooms are lovely, and specialty villas offer extras such as a private art gallery or a recording studio. Guests can request personal butlers to accompany them with any needs throughout their stay. World class dining is available at three restaurants including the trendy Rock Bar. View Eden Rock on YouTube

Spread over 18 acres, Le Guanahani is a tropical resort with everything on site to encourage total abandon. A personal butler is at your service. There are two pools, three restaurants, a world class spa, an array of water sports options including diving and kite surfing, tennis courts, fitness center, programs for children, all on a landscaped beach peninsula. Once you’re there, leaving is not easy.

ST BARTHS SHOPPING

Much as in St. Tropez, fashion is part of St. Barths lifestyle. This duty free island has two main shopping areas, St Jean and Gustavia. On a stroll down the Quai de la République in Gustavia you will find the latest trends from Hermès, Vuitton, Gaultier, Cartier, Dior and other top designers. St Jean is known for trendsetting local boutique shops with resort wear, fine jewelry, art and crafts. Shops close for lunch between noon and 3:00pm. Observe local tradition; pass an afternoon on a leisurely shopping stroll.

Vanita Rosa, Rue Oscar 2, Gustavia, tel +590 590 52 43 25. Top Model Valérie Bourdin designs luxury resort fashions inspired by the beautiful island landscape. Celebrities such as Jane Fonda and Cindy Crawford love to wear the elegant and chic designs created by Vanita Rosa. All the collections are designed and entirely made in Paris. Jetsetter gone Bohemian.

ST BARTHS RESTAURANTS

St. Barths is known as the gastronomique capital of the Caribbean. There are many fine chefs whose creations are presented in stunning settings. We suggest a few of our favorite chefs and restaurants currently open for the 2017 winter season. Things change. Kindly verify details when making your reservations.

Led by Executive Chef Laurent Cantineaux and Chef de Cuisine Ronan Mahe, seven specialty cooks prepare dishes that are an innovative fusion of South America and French cuisine. They are known for their Cerviche Bar, which includes several types of cerviche prepared Peruvian-style. The views overlooking the bay of Gustavia are breathtaking. Reservations accepted through their website. Bonito YouTube video

The pure essence of St. Barths. Nestled in beautifully landscaped gardens, a series of indoor and outdoor dining rooms appeal to the chicer lunch clientele of high season. Teak chairs and tables create the ambiance of a St. Tropez beach club. Chef Jean-Claude Dufour’s innovative and amazing food combinations will impress!

Orega has spectacular reviews. Patrons say the service, ambience and food is the absolute ultimate. The restaurant is beautifully designed and decorated with a section open to the stars. They have an excellent wine list and serve outstanding French/Japanese fusion cuisine prepared to perfection.

Nikki Beach

ST BARTHS BEACH CLUBS

NIKKI BEACH: Nestled on the magnificent beach of Saint-Jean, Nikki Beach Saint Barth is the preferred haven for the world’s jet-set clientele. Patrons luxuriate on all-white plush sun beds, with chic drapery and the brand’s trademark teepees throughout the beach club. This playground for many well known celebrities is a place to be seen. Look your best.

In addition to fine French cuisine with a distinctive Latin flair, La Plage is the home of unbeatable entertainment and events. Fashion shows, live bands and DJs, fire shows, live artistic pole dancing, weekly wine tastings, and our famous Sunday night Lolo De Luxe BBQ are all part of the spirited charm of La Plage.

SHELLONA: Shell Beach Gustavia, +590 590 29 06 66

If you enjoy the Mykonos and Ibiza beach club style, Shellona is your haven, with gourmet restaurant open daily from 9:00 am to midnight, sunset lounge and occasional night time events.

ST BARTHS SPAS

There are several hotels with spas, wellness and fitness centers that welcome the public. The St. Barths Visitor’s Guide is a good resource for an updated list. For an afternoon or a weekend of indulgent treatments, our friends highly endorse:

Nestled amongst exotic tropical gardens, the spa offers rejuvenation, customized treatments and an array of amenities including an adults-only swimming pool, steam room, private outdoor showers, relaxation areas and a spa boutique. Body Bliss botanical treatments are available on their own or as part of a multi-day wellness package. Two spa weekends, Festival of the Senses and Wellness Weekend are unique options to begin or conclude a one way yacht charter.

Surrounded by lush vegetation with panoramic views of the ocean, the Serenity Spa Cottage features a wide range of Elemis spa treatments that work in natural synergy with the skin, body and mind.

ST BARTHS NIGHTLIFE

Whatever the hottest club of the moment, don’t expect for much to get started before midnight. Check with the concierge for who’s livening up what party. If you make a late dinner reservation at one of the club restaurants you’ll have a seat when later the frenzy commences.

The First and The Yacht Club, Rue Jeanne D’Arc, Gustavia

Start your evening with an evening aperitif at trendy The First. Enjoy cocktails with innovative tapas and music. Your next stop will be just downstairs at the Yacht Club, which is supposed to be private but usually admits a well-dressed public.

Le Ti St Barth is a supper club that turns into a dance club somewhere after midnight. Evenings are divided into Act 1: Dinner Spectacle; Act 2: Dance on the Tables; Act 3: After Show. Everyone joins in the often all-night revelry, patrons, show girls, waiters, DJs, it’s a lively party. Check their website or the local paper for headliners. Don’t miss a beat!

After the dazzle of French island St Barths, a luxury yacht charter to laid-back Anguilla is a perfect Caribbean tonic.

Board your charter yacht to cruise the 24 nautical miles from St. Barths to Anguilla. You can swim, snorkel and fish off the yacht en route to the 33 gorgeous beaches of Anguilla.

The distance from Anguilla to the French coast of St Martin is just a few nautical miles.

This cosmopolitan island is graced with fine shops and restaurants like St. Barths, and beautiful beaches like Anguilla, plus more. Your problem will be choosing what activities you want to do the most.

Contact Select Yachtsfor a selection of catamarans, motor and sailing yachts available for a one way charter; St. Barthelemy – Anguilla – St. Maarten. Here are three top yachts and crews ready to take you and your guests on an unforgettable yacht charter.

SEAHOME, this brand new 2016 luxury Lagoon 62 performance sailing catamaran accommodates 10 guests in 5 cabins. The favorite spot for most charter guests is the huge, double trampoline. The upper-level helm station and fully covered fly bridge lounge are both fabulous spaces with awesome views any time of day or night.

CAP II, a CNB Bordeaux 76-foot sailing cruiser, is ideal for those who want the thrill of true sailing. Hoist the sails and slice through the waves from Anguilla to St. Martin. CAP II accommodates 6 guests in 3 cabins. The two forward cabins can be converted into one large master suite.